ITINERARY:
Day 1: DEPARTURE FROM USA
Depart from USA to Holy Land.
Day 2: ARRIVAL TO THE HOLY LAND
Upon arrival to Israel, you will be met by our tour guide and transferred to the hotel in Nazareth. Dinner and overnight in Nazareth.
Day 3: GALILEE - NAZARETH - TABGHA/BOAT RIDE
Visit NAZARETH, the BASILICA of the ANNUNCIATION and view the BLESSED CAVE, where ANGEL GABRIEL appeared to MARY. View MARY and JOSEPH'S House and carpentry shop where JESUS spent 30 years of his life. Visit CANA where JESUS performed his first miracle. Continue to the Mt. Of BEATITUDES. Here JESUS proclaimed his Sermon on the Mount. Then to CAPERNAUM, the town of JESUS which is the center of his ministry where he performed many miracles. Visit the House of ST. PETER and the ruins of the ancient SYNAGOGUE where JESUS preached. Stop at TABGHA and visit the Church of the Miracle of the LOAVES and FISHES. The site of the multiplication miracle. Boat ride on the LAKE of GALILEE. Dinner and overnight in GALILEE.
Day 4: GALILE - JERUSALEM
Visit MOUNT TABOR with a spectacular view of upper GALILEE, where JESUS transfigured in the presence of PETER, JAMES, and JOHN, and upon which stands the Church of TRANSFIGURATION. Visit BEIT SHE'AN where JESUS passed on his way from GALILEE to JERUSALEM. Visit JORDAN River where JESUS was BAPTIZED. Arrive at JERUSALEM late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.
Day 5: JERUSALEM - SIGHTSEEING
Full day tour of JERUSALEM-MT. Of OLIVES, MT SCOPUS; walk down the Road of PALM SUNDAY to the GARDEN of GETHSEMANE where JESUS endured his AGONY. Continue to KIDRON VALLEY and MT. ZION. Visit CHAPEL of the ASCENSION, from which JESUS returned to his father. Visit the old city of JERUSALEM. Follow the Stations of the Cross along the VIA DOLOROSA to the HOLY SEPULCHER (MASS IF AVAILABLE). Visit to the CHRISTIAN AND ARMENIAN QUARTERS, the KARDO and the WAILING WALL. Dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.
Day 6: JERUSALEM, TEL AVIV - ROME
Following breakfast free time in Jerusalem. Late afternoon transfer to Ben Gurion International Airport, arriving the same day to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 7: ROME - PAPAL AUDIENCE
After breakfast we go to Vatican City and attend the weekly Papal Audience and Blessing given by His Holiness, John Paul II. Visit St.Peter’s Basilica, built on the site where St. Peter was martyred. This largest religious temple in the world has housed 264 popes. Unsurpassed in beauty, importance and history, pilgrims from around the world are welcome to the most grandiose, sacred church in the world. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 8: ROME - ASSISI
After breakfast we depart for Assisi. Explore the quaint hilltop birthplace of St Francis, which still retains an unspoiled quality similar to the early 1200’s when he began his ministry. Contained within the huge 13th-century Basilica are many of his possessions and a series of frescoes depicting his life. You may kneel before the crucifix from which Jesus spoke to St. Francis, asking him to rebuild His church. It was St Mary of the Angels Basilica, where St Francis spent most of his life. Here we visit the Chapel, Portiuncola, the rose bush, and the cave where the saint retired for prayer. Stroll the medieval streets of the compact little town. After stopping at an outdoor cafe with a view of an ancient Roman temple, we go to the Church of St Clare to see the saint's incorrupt body. We will visit these two saint’s tombs before we return to Rome. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 9: CHRISTIAN ROME
After breakfast, then we depart for a tour of Christian Rome. The tour includes three major Basilicas: St. Mary Major, this is one of the oldest shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, after she appeared to Pope Liberius in 358 requesting a church be built in her honor. This shrine contains a relic from the manger where the infant Jesus was laid. The Basilica of the St John in Lateran, the former residence of all the Popes prior to their return to Rome in 1377. Five ecumenical councils were held in this cathedral housing the remains of 4 saints. St Paul Outside the Walls, which houses the remains of St. Paul under the main altar. Many relics are displayed, along with the chains that once bound the apostle while a prisoner in Rome. Visit Catacombs of St Callixtus where the early Christians hid themselves to escape persecution. Dinner and overnight in Rome.
Day 10: ROME - USA
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our return flight to the USA.
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